Sorry All !!

I am having panic attacks, can anyone give me advice asap on the correct way to inject ? The vet here in Egypt gave my two an injection today in the soft skin at the top of the back legs, I could have swore a read somewhere that it should be above the front legs ? The small one is dragging his back leg and they both eat nothing all day. I have to do this tomorrow and I am just scared to death !! The vet did not have Baytril syrup so I have to inject. Any advice please.

Thanks a lot Tara

Hi Tara,

This isn't something I've ever had to do but I've read in several places that the injection of Baytril into the front legs of a tortoise is no longer done.

Have a look at this article

http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/Medical_misinformation.htm

Which contains the information,

"Next, baytril is an EXTREMELY painful drug if given in the “wrong” place.  Intramuscular injections into the musculature of the front legs is an outdated treatment modality and leads to the classic ‘Baytril pain dance” which is easily avoided with appropriate administration of the drug.

Baytril has also been found to cause damage to the joint cartilage in immature (less than 8 month old) dogs.  I have seen this in immature birds as well and have no reason to believe it doesn’t cause similar problems in developing chelonians.  Permanent damage to the retinas in cats and subsequent blindness is another side effect which wasn’t discovered until the past few years. 

Lastly, most people are unaware that Baytril is actually designed to be given intramuscularly for the initial treatment and then orally for subsequent treatments.  It is not designed to be given repeatedly into the muscle yet this is the primary approach utilized in most instances as well as that “prescribed” by internet “experts”. "

I would honestly consider speaking to your vet if you are unsure of the procedure , it should have been fully explained to you if the expectation is for you to undertake this procedure.

Sorry I can't be of more help on this,

Dave.

Hi Dave, thanks for that, I have seen loads of information on the drug and was sick with worry, anyway as I said the vet gave them both the jab under the skin of the back leg and the result was the small Tort was walking on three legs! needless to say I was nearly up the walls! he told me to do the same the next day, but I waited until yesterday thus leaving a day inbetween, I gave it under the skin on the front legs and they were both fine, I put them in warm water four times yeaterday and they drank loads, it was a very hot day so I am sure that helped. I am starting to see a difference now, no bubbles just a damp nose and no more crying at nights. I went back to the vet today as he only gave me three days and said if it improved we would prolong the course. They have another 4 jabs each to get every other day( I told the vet I thought every day was too much for them by injection ) and he agreed but had no syrup, so I am hopeing this cures them and this never comes back. Thanks again Tara

Sorry Dave, I gave the injection in the fleshy skin under the front legs! Have to say I never thought I could do this but I had no choice, the vets is a bit away and he told me to get used to it. Have to say I shook through the whole thing and was still shakeing an hour after but once I seen they were ok with no limping ect I was ok. Just hope the course is not too much or not enough for them. Oh to be in the UK with reptile vets available!!!!! Kind Regards Tara

Hi Tara,

I think most of the above refers to intramuscular injections, I'd like to think the fleshy part of the upper foreleg would be ok but I'm no vet.

Lets hope this clears it all up for you and you can start enjoying them!

Cheers Dave, There is no way I could have done that !! that's the thing that worried me the most, I really would have been afraid of hitting a nerve or worse but just under the skin seems ok, I still won't be relaxed until they are finished, the poor little things. I have no lamps here so they are in my bedroom with a fire on and a bowl of water to keep the air moist. The rest of us are in the living room cold!!! Its just to keep them warm and in another couple of months they will be outside day and night , I would really like to be able to make their home as it is in the wild ( mind you parts of our land is rocky sandy and loads of moist soil so I will keep my fingers crossed. The small one worrys me more as the vet gave them the same dose even though 40 gram difference so maybe I will just give him a tiny little less. Nerve racking stuff. Thanks again Tara.

Just to say thanks for all the advice and say that the two Torts are great now, they were off their food for a couple of weeks while they had the Baytril but are making up for lost time now !! They have had dry noses now for a couple of weeks and are smelling every single weed and flower they pass! They also seem a lot more relaxed..no more trying to climb walls and running around  ( Diden't think Tortoises could move so fast !!  A few worm problems again but will continue with the syrup every couple of months until it clears. Once again a big thanks for all the great advice and a Happy New Year to all!

Hi Tara, so glad to hear they have recovered and doing so well  They will have a great home with you.

Regards Vivienne